History of Farrington’s Grove
Beginnings: 1831-1850
Terre Haute was founded in 1816, the same year as the state of Indiana itself. With the town owing its existence to trade along the Wabash River, the first permanent residences were largely constructed along the river’s edge in the vicinity of the present-day courthouse. What is now Farrington’s Grove was nothing but woods and prairie, but the land would not remain ignored for long. In 1831, local businessman James Farrington bought 47 acres and cleared a portion for a farm. Farrington constructed his house, named Woodlawn, in 1841, located in a grove of trees. Here he hosted many community events, such as picnics, celebrations, and political speeches by the likes of Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas. In this way, “Mr. Farrington’s grove” became an epicenter of early Terre Haute’s social life and was the logical inspiration for the naming of the historical district.
In 1847, a friend of Farrington's named Samuel Gookins purchased a tract of land to the south of Farrington’s farm, roughly between Osborne and Hulman Streets. He built a mansion named Strawberry Hill in 1852. Like Farrington, he made his property available for public events, including one of the first county fairs.
Farrington and Gookins can be regarded as the neighborhood’s “founding fathers”, as they were among the first to establish permanent residences in the area south of Terre Haute. In addition, both men helped to spur its further development, as the festivities they hosted increased awareness of the region and enticed future residents.
In the years preceding the American Civil War, the “neighborhood” remained rural and sparsely populated. A few wealthy Hauteans joined Farrington and Gookins in the area, which was desirable because it offered a country setting in close proximity to downtown Terre Haute. A small handful of homes, most notably the Williams-Warren-Zimmerman House (411 Park) and the Grover-Shannon-Lee House (823 S 5th), survive from this era.
Roughly located at 916 S. Fifth St, Woodlawn was built in 1841 and demolished c. 1920. (note chimney in background, belonging to St. Anthony’s Hospital)
Courtesy of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) Logan Library
Strawberry Hill was constructed in 1852 and later served as the main building of Coates College before being razed c. 1908. Courtesy of RHIT Logan Library
Development 1850-1880
The arrival of the railroads in the 1850s brought industry to Terre Haute, and the community blossomed into a more fully developed city. Many prominent businessmen emerged during this time and elected to construct their mansions south of the city. With this new development, “Mr. Farrington’s grove” was becoming much more of a neighborhood. In 1858, the Terre Haute Female College opened on land between Farrington St and College Ave. Later becoming St Anthony’s Hospital, the complex remained a community landmark for another century. Through the 1860s and 1870s, grand Italianate homes arose along 5th and 6th Streets, like the Sage Mansion (1411 S 6th). Farrington’s Grove was developing into a “realm of the wealthy”, as the major players in 19th century Terre Haute, such as the Crawford, Deming, and Fairbanks families, all called the neighborhood home.
The Sage Mansion (top) was built in 1868. Below, the Keyes house at 723 S. Sixth, no longer extant. Courtesy of Vigo County Historical Society (VCHS) & Vigo County Public Library (VCPL)
Evolution: 1880-1930
As the 19th century waned, Farrington’s Grove continued to host the mansions of wealthy Terre Hauteans. However, new patterns of development emerged that make this period distinctive. Population density increased, contributing to the neighborhood becoming more urban.
Also, middle class residents began moving into Farrington’s Grove in great numbers. These newcomers might be doctors or lawyers, grocers or bankers, and while they certainly had money, they were not part of the old elite. With the north side of the neighborhood dominated by the mansions of established families, newcomers often looked south to build. Thus, it is during this time, post-1880, that much of the southern half of the historic district was developed. There is an evident shift, even today, between the grand brick mansions to the north and the smaller homes and cottages to the south. The new construction brought increasing architectural diversity. The 1880s and 90s saw Queen Anne and Victorian homes with their gingerbread woodwork, while the 20th century brought the classic boxy American Foursquare, bungalow, and even outlandish styles such as Tudor Revival.
The increasing economic diversity of Farrington’s Grove also saw the development of working class areas and the vernacular style of architecture that accompanied them. 4th Street, for example, exhibits numerous small “workers’ cottages”, typically 1.5 stories, and the even more basic “shotgun house.” Standing in stark contrast to the massive estates on 6th Street, these were home to middle and lower class families, many of whom were employed at the nearby mansions as household servants. Others worked at the factories and mills that lined the Wabash River to the west. With this in mind, it is worth noting that the current boundary of Farrington’s Grove as defined by the historic district does not necessarily reflect the perception of the neighborhood historically. The wealthier families who inhabited other opulent areas of “the Grove” probably considered these working class streets to be separate.
Overall, the increase in population density over this period meant that Farrington’s Grove was no longer a land of wealthy country estates but instead a diverse, thriving urban neighborhood. The infrastructure necessary to support this growth developed in the form of the classic “corner stores” and the neighborhood school. Commercial buildings were constructed along South 7th Street, and by 1908 multiple public schools were operating within or adjacent to the current historic district. City streetcar lines on 3rd and 7th Streets provided dependable transportation to bustling downtown Terre Haute.
A brand-new 1601 S. Sixth Street, c. 1905 Courtesy of VCHS
1225 S. Seventh St. Courtesy of VCPL
Old Crawford School at Farrington & Third Sts, opened 1872
Courtesy of VCHS
Streetcar on Seventh Sreet, 1920s. Courtesy of VCHS
Challenges: 1930-2000
After a century of prosperity, Farrington’s Grove entered a long period of challenges that began with the Great Depression and increased following WWII. Large-scale economic and cultural shifts taking place in mid-century America help explain the transformation. The decline of Midwestern cities like Terre Haute as industrial powerhouses, for example, resulted in the gradual disappearance of the wealthy business tycoons whose families had long called Farrington’s Grove home and who served as community anchors. At the same time, the rise of the suburb in the 1950s meant that population density was shifting from the inner city to outlying subdivisions. These new developments offered the car-centric design that dense city neighborhoods, laid out in the horse-and-carriage era, lacked.
Neighborhoods like Farrington’s Grove were now seen as old-fashioned and outdated amid the modern culture of post WWII America. However, the many large houses became ideal for alternative uses. With Indiana State University just a short walk north of the neighborhood, some were subdivided into rental apartments that catered to students. In a similar vein, Greek life achieved a strong presence. Certain streets became “fraternity rows”, with the mansions of Gilded Age businessmen now hosting raucous college parties.
These years were unkind to the historic integrity of Farrington’s Grove. Many houses suffered from deferred maintenance or unsympathetic alterations. Demolition took a toll, especially in working-class areas like Fourth Street that were perceived as blighted by city government and targeted with “urban renewal” projects. At the same time, however, the neighborhood’s architectural and historical significance began to be recognized. In 1976, Farrington’s Grove Historical District, Inc. was organized under the sponsorship of the Terre Haute Redevelopment Department. The purpose of the organization was to raise the standard of housing through restoration and improved maintenance. Interest in the area was spread through walking tours and neighborhood events. In the spring of 1986, Farrington’s Grove became the first residential neighborhood in Terre Haute to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
1000 S. Sixth St., c. 1962 courtesy of Indiana Landmarks Wilbur D. Peat Collection
423 S. Fifth St., c. 1990s
courtesy of Indiana Landmarks Historic Architecture Collection
Revival: 2000+
In recent decades, Farrington’s Grove has experienced a gradual but steady revitalization. The neighborhood’s recognition as a historic district has helped increased interest and encouraged new homeowners to move to the community. Several trends have contributed to an increasing quality of life in Farrington’s Grove. For example, the number of fraternities located in the neighborhood has declined, with the houses typically reverting to single-family ownership or lower density apartments. A significant number of houses have experienced restoration or renovation in recent years. One recent success story is Bar Bosco on South 7th Street. This Italian-inspired bar and restaurant features fine dining in an exquisitely-restored interior, giving new life to what was for years a deteriorating property. Several other renovation projects are in progress as of 2022!
Former fraternity, now a private residence.
800 S. 7th St. in 2013 (above) and in 2022 (left)
Google imagery
423 S. 5th St. receives new paint, 2022